The jobs done by either bridge contractors or tunnel contractors must be made right the first time. The lives of hundreds, or even thousands, of people can be put in jeopardy if the materials used are not strong enough or the job is not finished properly.

When you are looking for a bridge construction contractor or tunnel construction company, it is essential to find people you can rely on to get the accomplished in a safe and responsible manner. This may entail hiring a company that does not provide the lowest bid, but focusing on a contractor that has proven skills and worked to achieve the highest safety standards possible.

Before hiring anyone to start a project, it is important to understand bridge and tunnel construction contractors basics. A few of the things you should check into include:

1. Learning exactly what tunnel construction firms and bridge construction firms do and what they need to get a project finished properly;

2. Investigating the background of any company you are interested in hiring;

3. Reviewing jobs that have been finished by the tunnel or bridge construction companies you are considering.

Action Steps
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Research the duties of bridge and tunnel construction contractors

While it is the responsibility of bridge building or tunneling construction companies to be the experts, if it is up to you to pick a contractor you should at least know the basics. This will help you to make a better and more informed decision. In just a short time you can find out what is involved in the process that tunnel or bridge constructors must undertake.

I recommend: Get the exact definition of bridge and tunnel construction from the U.S. Census Bureau. Read about bridge and tunnel construction at IBISWorld.

Find out more about bridge building companies

There are many different types of bridges and the style you need may affect which company you hire to build it. Some of the various forms of bridges include beam, arch, suspension, cable and truss. Each one has a distinct type of construction and is designed to meet a specific need. Check into what type of bridge will be required for your project and begin the hiring process from there.

I recommend: Read about bridge styles at Brinkster. Keep up with bridge building related news at BridgePros. Check out the history of a well-established company, Bridge Builders USA.

Investigate what tunnel building companies do

Building a tunnel is a delicate procedure that can be extremely dangerous. This is true not only during the construction, but after as well. As with bridges, there are various types of tunnels. Find out which kind of tunnel your project requires and hire a contractor that is experienced in that format.

I recommend: Learn more about how the builders of the Detroit Windsor Tunnel accomplished a major piece of work. Find out about the different types of tunnels with help from Ideaphotos.

Hire a bridge or tunnel construction contractor

Once you have done your research and learned all about bridge and tunnel construction contractors basics, it is time to choose someone to do the job. There are hundreds of bridge and tunnel construction contractors to choose from, so you should be completely satisfied with a potential contractor before any agreement is signed.

I recommend: Try Pacific Bridge & Construction or Cowin to get the job done right.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Review previous projects any contractor has worked on to see what they have done in the past.
• •  Get quotes from multiple bridge and tunnel construction companies, but remember that the lowest bid is not always the best way to go when public safety is a concern.

Bridge building companies and tunnel contractors aren't your run-of-the-mill road builders. These highly specialized contractors have a lot riding on their projects, and we all depend on their expertise as we travel every day.

Tunnel building companies and bridge construction companies should have a track record that meets or surpasses building standards, as well as on-time delivery of the project, as road construction generally causes traffic delays. When looking for a bridge construction company or a tunnel construction contractor, do your homework first.

1. Research whether the bridge building companies or tunnel construction firms have enough experience with the same type of project that you're constructing, whether it's a simple highway overpass or a tunnel through the bay.

2. Find out who was the bridge contractor on existing bridges in the area, and check them out yourself.

3. Check out the safety and satisfaction record of any finalist bridge contractors who are bidding on your project.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search out bridge construction companies that value safety

Bridge contractors and tunnel construction companies have to put safety of their workers first, as well as the well-being of the public. Bridge and tunnel construction can be dangerous work, and firms need to take extra precautions.

I recommend: Cianbro is a bridge construction contractor that has won awards for making sure a project is completed safely, and has experience building many different types of bridges. Safety is key for West Coast Contractors in Oregon, which holds safety meetings regularly to head off problems before they begin.

Check out various bridge contractors

Bridge constructors should have a wealth of varied experience on their resume of projects. Ask to see a variety of examples of work to get some ideas of their experience as well as the design potential.

I recommend: HNTB is well known around the country for beautiful bridges and tunnels. With experience dating back to 1914, HNTB is well-known among bridge and tunnel contractors. John W. Saltsman is a bridge building consultant with highway projects in Richmond, VA, as well as other sites in the South.

Look for tunneling construction companies that make history

Tunnel construction firms need to emphasize safety just as much as bridge building companies. History-making projects such as the Cheaspeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are only the result of years of preparation and planning. Find a tunnel construction company with a good track record of safety and expertise.

I recommend: When looking at tunnel construction companies, consider tunnel engineering services from Lachel Felice and Associates or Whitaker Construction Co., who constructed a utility tunnel at Utah State University.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to check the reputation of bridge constructors or tunnel contractors with the Better Business Bureau.

Bridge and tunnel construction contractors education and training necessary to plan and execute large construction projects. This type of education teaches contractors all aspects of building bridges and tunnels, including weight capacities, the best materials for the job, and environmental issues that may arise during construction.

Those who want to become contractors for bridge and tunnel construction need a thorough education on all aspects of a typical construction project. Bridge contractors and tunnel contractors have a lot to consider on every job, including budgets, materials and the environment of the build. Resources to help with training and education include:

1. Software for bridge building companies.

2. Expert advice from books, videos and online articles.

3. Statistics from government agencies.

Action Steps
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Find bridge construction contractor training through college courses

To qualify for the position of bridge construction contractor, you will need to hold a degree in civil engineering. Civil engineering teaches students how to design and build major projects such as highways, bridges, tunnels and other types of transportation infrastructure. Many degree programs also have internship opportunities that allow students to work on government projects.

I recommend: Johns Hopkins University provides a comprehensive undergraduate and graduate civil engineering program for those interested in tunnel and bridge construction. University of Maryland also provides a civil engineering education that allows students to explore highway and transportation theory and design.

Find internships for bridge and tunnel construction contractor education and training

For those who are still studying in civil engineering or have just completed coursework, an internship or apprenticeship is the next step in finding a job as a bridge and tunnel construction contractor. These can last anywhere from a few weeks to a year, and provide plenty of hands-on experience.

I recommend: The American Society of Civil Engineers provides free membership for civil engineering students which gives them access to free training materials and internship opportunities. New York State Department of Transportation is another opportunity for engineering students to gain internship experience. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers training and carer opportunities in the field of civil engineering for military and public services.

Explore programs to learn regulations for building with bridge construction companies

Bridge and tunnel construction companies that want to work in one or more specific states will also need to study codes and regulations for the state the project will be built. Most state governments have workshops that help to work through regulations and paperwork necessary to start and complete any civil building project.

I recommend: The State of Oregon provides workshops for bridge and tunnel construction companies that work with the state in order to complete building projects. The Federal Highway Administration maintains a list of reports from workshops it holds to bring state bodies up to date on the latest construction practices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When hiring contractors, bridge construction firms will look for previous experience and any additional educational training will stand out on your resume. Additional courses not required are also a plus for many looking to hire contractors.

Bridges and tunnels provide transportation to locations where vehicles once couldn't go. If you wanted to travel to the other side of a mountain, or across a river or stream, in the past, you would have to find alternate forms of transportation. However, current forms of bridges and tunnels make it easy to get where you need to go. To work with bridge and tunnel construction contractors, you should understand the various types of bridges and tunnels that they can design.

Action Steps
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Mine tunnels, public works tunnels, transportation tunnels

There are three main types of tunnels that construction contractors will work with: mine tunnels, public works tunnels and transportation tunnels. Mine tunnels are designed for the extraction of mineral and metal deposits from the earth. Public works tunnels carry utilities like gas, water and sewer lines over long distances underground. Transportation tunnels allow for vehicles or train systems to travel underground for part or all of the trip.

I recommend: HowStuffWorks explains the different types of tunnels that bridge and tunnel construction contractors should know.

Transportation Research Board

The Transportation Research Board helps lead the way in the innovation and progress of the transportation industry. They promote research and information exchange among industry professionals to further develop bridges, tunnels and other transportation modalities.

I recommend: Read the mission of the Transportation Research Board on its website.

Suspension bridge

A common type of bridge built by bridge and tunnel construction contractors is the suspension bridge. The bridge's roadway suspends from smaller cables that all attach to a master cable that runs the length of the bridge.

I recommend: You can read details about a suspension bridge at the wiseGEEK website.

Cable stayed bridge

A cable stayed bridge looks similar to a suspension bridge, however, a cable stayed bridge requires the towers to bear the weight of the roadway connected to the cables.

I recommend: The NOVA page at PBS.org explains cable stayed bridges.

Truss

Trusses on a bridge help develop the support and structure of the bridge. Trusses act as the skeleton of the bridge, providing the appropriate amount of tension and compression to make the bridge sturdy.

I recommend: The Matsuo Bridge Co. offers details about a truss on a bridge and the purpose that it serves.

Beam bridges

Beam bridges are the simplest type of bridge that a bridge and tunnel construction contractor will work with. The beam crosses the bridge to make the roadway or walkway; that beam can be in one piece or it can be fused together with different pieces.

I recommend: The Design Technology Department explains beam bridges.